The fully animated gargoyle exuded the unique stone dust miasma of the cemetery, and stared at the two people below with ruby eyes:
“The stone statue cemetery has been sealed off, and all burial, transportation, processing and production of bodies between cemeteries have been suspended. If you have any questions, please go to the city hall for consultation.
If you continue to approach the cemetery, or if you make any moves that appear to be an attack on the cemetery, the cemetery's unique defense system will be activated."
Yi Chen took off the sun badge and displayed it in front of the gargoyle.
Two beams of red light visible to the naked eye emanate from the gem-like eyes and converge on the badge.
"Members of the Church of the Sun, you have been granted limited access to the cemetery. After entering the cemetery, please follow the butler's lead to the stone house where the master is. Once you are more than ten meters away from the butler, the cemetery's defense system will be activated."
When the words were finished, the heavy door opened inwards.
A butler was waiting behind the door. His entire face was made of stone. He had no eyes, or rather, he didn't need eyes at all. He could accurately know the location of the cemetery just by touching the ground with his feet.
The butler had no intention of waiting for the two of them. The moment the door opened, he turned around and began to lead the way.
Yi Chen slapped Barry on the back, who seemed a little dazed. The sound of his armor brought him back to his senses, and he quickly followed.
Since we had to follow the butler, the fog along the way was too thick to see the specific details of the cemetery. We only knew that the specifications of this cemetery had reached a large scale.
The Qiri Cemetery where Yi Chen once worked and the Lenghu Cemetery whose essence was absorbed by Little Grape are both small.
It is a long way from the gate to the cemetery manager's room.
As he went deeper, Barry gradually adapted and was no longer afraid. "It really is a stone statue cemetery. I heard that half of the stone statues in Zion City were produced here. The owner of this cemetery is one of the highest-level stone carving masters.
The stone sculptures he made can serve as perfect soul containers, accepting the independent souls born in the cemetery and transforming them into quite terrifying stone sculptured lives. "
Yi Chen ignored Barry. He was communicating with a cemetery professional in his body:
"Little Grape, any ideas?"
"What can I think? Large cemeteries like this are guarded by powerful people among you humans. If I make any small moves, I will be discovered immediately."
Yi Chen was speechless for a while, "I'm just asking you if this cemetery is related to the death incident."
"Oh~ I can't feel anything at the moment. Whether it's the corpse smell coming from the cemetery soil, the humidity in the air, or the operation of the entire cemetery factory, everything is normal."
"Yeah, I think so."
If something goes wrong in such an important cemetery, it will definitely be discovered immediately. I will try to talk to the cemetery manager later. Maybe he will allow you to absorb some of the cemetery's essence like last time in Lenghu Cemetery. 』
After walking for more than 20 minutes, we finally found the so-called stone house.
An isolated, simple square stone house with no doors or windows stands at the end of the road.
As the stone butler walked towards him, his body merged with the stone house and turned into a door structure, opening inward.
Yi Chen stepped in first.
Barry took off his bucket helmet and held it in his hands, following behind him somewhat stiffly.
The scene inside the stone house surprised the two of them. They did not see the cemetery manager directly.
It was filled with various hand-made suitcases and large bags, carried in the hands or on the shoulders of several stone butlers, as if they were preparing for a long journey.
The secret passage in the center of the stone house was fully opened, with stairs extending downwards.
At this moment, a rather funny voice came from below: "If you two are free, come down and help."
Yi Chen and Barry looked at each other and immediately went down the secret passage.
Below is a craft room dedicated to stone carving. Most of the tools and materials have been packed, and a special mold table is currently being folded and moved.
The so-called cemetery manager turned out to be a middle-aged dwarf with a somewhat funny appearance and brown hair, probably less than one meter tall.
The dwarf was wearing a set of hand-made exoskeleton armor (stone and steam), and with the help of three butlers, he could only barely lift the mold table, which was difficult to move.
"This thing is a bit heavy, you two come over and give me a hand."
The mold table looked very ordinary, but when Yi Chen started to use it, he was stunned, as if he was moving a mountain.
Yi Chen did not ask any more questions, and immediately used all his strength. The chains between his arms were visible, moving under his skin.
Barry's face was also flushed with shock, and veins popped out.
With the help of four stone stewards, they finally moved the things up there.
The dwarf quickly took off his armor and patted the two men's thighs. "You two little guys are quite strong. You look unfamiliar. I seem to have never seen you before."
Yi Chen quickly explained: "Barry and I just came from Zion to assist the local gentlemen in investigating the cause of death. We were awarded the Sun Badge by Dean Diss for our groundbreaking investigation."
Who knows,
The dwarf was not interested in the "groundbreaking investigation" at all. Instead, he said in surprise, "Are you coming here to die? You two are both quite talented. Wasting talent is not the style of the organization."
"Fortunately, Barry and I have captured a..."
Before Yi Chen could finish his words, the dwarf slapped a piece of parchment with G&D printed on it on them.
"Since you helped me move my things, I'll show you this advance notice that was sent by the Zion executives to me, Dean Dis, and the mayor. Don't spread it to anyone else."
≮Dear Mr. Ruber, since the prophet cannot read any future information about the city of Ravenholm, no survival rules can be formulated.
The potential dangers hidden in the city are incalculable. Please immediately pack up the stone statue cemetery you manage.
If the situation becomes serious, the organization will abandon everything in Vinholm and build a high wall to permanently block the entire city.
"this… "
"Did you see it clearly? Although the decision to abandon or blockade has not been made directly, the organization has already spotted the danger in advance.
I will pack up and leave here tonight. Anyway, as long as I am still alive, with these important tools packed, the Stone Statue Cemetery can be rebuilt in a short time."
"Mr. Luber, are you really not going to try? Dean Dis and his team have made some breakthrough progress."
“So what if there is progress? I don’t like gambling… The Gray Region is spreading and expanding between the worlds. It is only a matter of time before this city is swallowed up. I just left one step ahead. Being alive is more important than anything else.
Since we have a chance tonight, will you two come with me? I can guarantee that the organization will not hold you responsible for your temporary escape."
"No, we have decided to investigate here."
"What a shame~ Then I can only wish you good luck."
The cemetery manager, Ruburt, waved his hand lightly, and the top of the stone roof opened automatically, and several gargoyles came to help carry the goods.
"Mr. Rube, since you are leaving, is this cemetery still of any use to you?"
Yi Chen's question stunned the other party, and he also stopped to look at the gentleman again.
"Do you want to take over here?"
"Not really. I have never learned anything about cemetery management. I have only worked in a cemetery before. If Mr. Ruber is sure to leave, I want to take advantage of the remaining value of the cemetery."
"Tell me about it."
As Little Grape emerged from his shoulder, Ruburt immediately put down the suitcase in his hand and cast a pure look that could see through the soul.
“How could such a small ‘container’ be filled with so many interesting souls and form an independent whole? Moreover, this little guy exudes two different cemetery scents… Who did this?”
"The little grapes come from the Seventh Day Cemetery."
"Interesting~ I should find some time to visit Wilbert.
The Stone Statue Cemetery is all yours. Once I leave, all creations will leave with me. No one will care what you do here. Of course, how much surplus value you can extract depends on your ability.
Don't die, young man. I'm going to run away first."
I've been stuck in writer's block recently, and I can't even save any drafts. I'll take a break on the weekend as usual to adjust my state~
(End of this chapter)